Stop H.R. 3028 - Protect the Net - Stop the Trademark Monopolists

This is posted on behalf of Marc Rotenberg
<rotenberg@epic.org>.
More information is available by following the links at the end of
this page.

This bill fits a pattern: every time Congress wants to create a new
monopoly covering some activity formerly open to all, or extend and
increase an old monopoly, they apply the term “piracy”
to the free activity that the monopoly will stamp out. So whenever
you see anything described as “piracy” aside from the
capturing of ships, watch out for your liberties! -- Richard
Stallman

Urgent

The House of Representatives is about to vote on legislation
that would grant sweeping new powers for trademark holders and
undermine the rights of domain name holders, Internet users,
and small businesses. H.R. 3028 “The Trademark
Cyberpiracy Prevention Act of 1999” will also establish
unprecedented ability for trademark holders to sue Internet
users all around the world. And H.R. 32028 will undermine a
fair and carefully crafted international consensus on the
resolution of Internet name disputes. It's a bad bill and it
should be stopped.

The House of Representatives may vote on H.R. 3028 as early as
Tuesday, October 26, 1999.

You Need To Act

There is a chance to stop HR 3028. It has very few sponsors
and has moved quietly through Congress, mostly under the radar
of organizations and businesses that have worked to promote
the growth of the Internet. Also, Congress will soon break
for Thanksgiving.

But you have to act!

What You Can Do

It is vitally important for you to contact your Representative
in Congress and explain politely but firmly that you hope that
your Representative will VOTE AGAINST H.R. 3028.

“Hello, I'm a registered voter in the district of
Congressman <name>. I'm calling because I hope he/she
will vote against H.R. 3028, ‘The Cyberpiracy Act’.
I don't like cyberpirates, but I believe this bill will hurt
ALL domain name holders on the Internet, including small
businesses, noncommercial organizations and individuals. Will
you please tell the Congressman that I asked him/her to vote
against H.R. 3028? Thanks.”

Here are all the things you just did in 30 seconds:

You made clear that you're a voter in the Congressman's
District (they'll listen to you!)

You said clearly that you are against a bill and you gave
the bill number and the title of the bill (it's important to
give both!)

You gave the Congressman a good reason to vote against
H.R. 3028 (Members of Congress like good reasons for votes)

You asked for a commitment to convey your position to the
Congressman (you want to be taken seriously)

You were polite (always a plus)

If you leave your name and address, that will make your call
even more effective (you might even get a letter)

If you like, you can also send an email to your Representative
with a new service offered at the House web site — check
here.

If you're still energized to do something, ask a friend or
neighbor who also lives in your district to make the same
call. You can also call the office of the Chairman of the
Rules Committee Congressman David Dreier and tell his
staffperson that you oppose H.R. 3028 and hope that Mr.
Dreier will put off a vote on the bill until the problems
are fixed.

If you want to learn more about the problems with H.R. 3028,
look at the excellent letter from computer users and legal
experts. Also, visit Thomas and check out the bill and the
history.